March Wrap-Up: Magical Thinking

April 2, 2019

Retired UB anthropology professor Phillips Stevens was our speaker for March and April. On March 29, he gave a lecture titled “Magical Thinking: Inherently Human” to an audience of about 70 people. We were glad to welcome our neighbors from the Atheist Community of Rochester to the center, and enjoyed having drinks and snacks with them at the Brick House after the talk.

The many meanings of the word “magic” were explored in Dr. Steven’s talk.

Cave paintings from early human history involve magical concepts, as Dr. Stevens explained.

Dr. Stevens is an engaging speaker.

The horoscope of Sigmund Freud – used as an example of magical thinking.

Representations of humans wearing animal skins were an early form of magical thinking.

After the event, CFI members shared their thoughts with each other.

After the event, CFI members shared their thoughts with each other.

After the event, CFI members shared their thoughts with each other.

After the event, CFI members shared their thoughts with each other.

We always leave time for Q&A at the end of lecture events.

We always leave time for Q&A at the end of lecture events.

Our second ever Game Night was held at CFI on March 14 (Pi Day!). We will continue to hold Game Night events at CFI in the future. We voted on a book for the next meeting of the Secular Book Club (coming up May 15).

Cafe Inquiry events took place as usual on the first, second, and fourth Mondays of March. Drinking Skeptically was held on March 15, and we discussed anti-vaccination beliefs and their growing influence with organizer Dave Hahn. As usual, SOS meetings took place every Tuesday, and the literary cafe hosted by Just Buffalo was held on the first Wednesday in March (March 6).

Candace, Sarah, Matthew, and John (front) after the recording of Small Talk Big Think on March 14.

CFI volunteer Candace Hawkins and program manager Sarah Kaiser were interviewed on a local podcast called “Small Talk Big Think” with John Farallo and Matthew Austin. You can listen to the podcast or watch the video on YouTube.